The public transport sector is deemed as a primary contributor to air pollution in Baguio City. So the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations in Baguio, Benguet and La Union is also finding ways to address the issue, said federation president Jonie Itliong.

“Public transport ang itinuturong dahilan sa smoke emission,” Itliong said, adding, “Kaya gumagawa kami ng paraan kung paano i-address yun.”

He said they have already started training on the maintenance of their vehicles to ease their smoke emission. “Yung mga nag-train yung mga nakakaalam din tungkol sa pag-maintain ng sasakyan, para maituro nila sa mga kasamahan nila,” he added.

He said they have already tapped the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and US Agency for International Development – Energy and Clean Air Project as training providers for the proper maintenance of vehicles.

Itliong also said they have a proposal to increase to five percent from one percent the use of the pre-mixed biodiesel in the city. Baguio is a pilot area for using the  premixed biodiesel, which has been available in all gasoline stations for the past three years.

Aside from biodiesel, he said 120 units of taxi have already converted their engines to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

“We are asking more taxis to convert to LPG,” he said. Although the conversion is costly at around P25,000 to P28,000 per vehicle not including the LPG kit, he hopes they can avail themselves of the financing scheme soon to be instituted by the government. “Ipapau-tang yung makina sa financing scheme under the government,” he said, although the details of the program are not yet clear.

Meanwhile, in a bid to deter smoke belchers from further polluting the city, the Department of Transportation and Communications has been conducting regular roadside apprehensions since February. A total of 187 smoke belching vehicles were already apprehended for failing the smoke emission test.

DOTC regional director Federico Mandapat Jr. said that out of these 187 vehicles, 167 have already settled their violation.

“They have to recalibrate their engines or change the nozzle,” Mandapat said, adding that the driver or operator of the vehicle is also fined P1,000 for the first offense.

“We will not release the plate number and driver’s license until they have settled their violation,” he added. “They have to show a smoke emission test certificate of compliance, then we also retest their vehicles to check [na walang daya]. So far wala pa namang ganun na case,” he said.

“Karamihan ng violators e taxi at jeep,” the director said.

Itliong admitted that out of 40 taxi units, 39 failed at the free smoke emission tests in SM last June 5.

There are around 3,500 taxi units registered under the Land Transportation Office here, although Mandapat said there are actually more units plying the city roads. “Karamihan ay irregularly registered,” he said, adding that his office is trying to address the problem.